Saturday, January 31, 2009

Des and Penny had a baby! And they named him Charlie! Awww, how precious. Des tried to find Daniel's Mom and found his ex-girlfriend instead. Yikes, she's a basket case! After a brief trip to see Penny's dad, Des returned to Penny fully expecting to give up the quest, but Penny would have none of it. So they're off to LA! Steer clear of Ben while you're over there, mkai? Thx!

Meanwhile, back on the island...

Our intrepid heroes meet up with the bow and arrow/gun wielding Others and are taken back to their camp. Daniel convinces Richard that he can diffuse the H-bomb while Charlotte and Miles cool their heels.

Juliette, Sawyer and Locke track their runaway hostage back to the Other Camp where they split ways. Locke decides he wants to "finish his conversation with Richard" while Juliette and Sawyer try to rescue Daniel.

At the Camp Others, Locke asks to be taken to Richard and "Mr. Jones" (his escaped hostage) is adamant that Locke can not be trusted. That's when Richard drops the bomb and calls the fellow "Widmore!" Locke is as surprised as I am! When Mr. Widmore said that this fight goes back a long time, he wasn't lying!

After that confrontation Locke tries to convince Richard to show him how to get off the island. Oh, and he also tells Richard that he will appoint Locke to be their leader in the future. Richard is unconvinced and unimpressed. The "time flash" happens again before Locke can get his answer.

After the "time flash" the six castaways are left standing in a field when suddenly Charlotte starts spazzing out.

The episode ends with Daniel clutching her to his chest as she (presumably) slips into a coma.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Now, I'm sure that my job is not the worst on the planet but here are a few things that are making it shitty lately:

1) Personnel issues. Remember this post about my employee the "problem child" who has been hustled around to different divisions based on her inability to work with anyone combined with her EEO complaint? Yeah, she can't work with us either. We tried to take her in, but basically this asshole feels like we should all be catering to her since she is not afraid to report us if she doesn't get her way. Well guess what jackass? I don't care! Report me! I can't wait - seriously, I can't wait to have my second-in-command back me up on your bullshit. I'm done.

2) Piss Poor Planning. Yes, I have visited this topic before. The place where I work is plagued with self righteous asshats who feel that their every whim is a cause for me to jump through hoops. Sorry! I'm not playing anymore and neither are my people.

3) Total Lack Of Support. Our "parent" entity did something seriously jacked up and now the entire division that supported us has either retired, resigned, transferred or been dismissed. We now have to beg and plead with other government entities to support our mission. It's so jacked up that we have no idea if/when we'll be given the privilege to do anything for ourselves again. Apparently we all look like fools who need someone to hold their hand. Joy.

4) My Resignation. My supervisor advised me, in passing, that my chain of command had a few "niggling" little questions about my resignation letter and application. I was all, what's to question? I served my time - now I want out. But, the PTB claims that my resignation letter implies that I have taken all I want from the military and now I want out. Hmmm. I certainly didn't intend that interpretation - but even so! I've Served My TIME! I WANT OUT! I was asked to re-word the letter in a manner that is less inflammatory. What. The. Fuck. Ever.

Though each of these items is enough to make me seethe and cuss - taken together I am relieved to find that I simply don't give a rat's ass anymore. The PTB are even considering turning my relief away. This poor fellow needs a one year job (like mine) because he's upside down in his mortgage and they want to turn him away. Know why? Because, and I quote, "We don't need someone to take up space for one year." ASSHOLES! They don't have to use him in my department - they can use him anywhere! But no.

I can't wait to get out of this wretched place. I hope that when the PTB read the "Command Climate Survey" they go into apoplectic shock. I wish I could be there to see it.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

My parents visited last weekend and helped me take an inventory of the chores that need to be accomplished before I can put this house on the market. This list includes lots of little nit picky stuff that I have lived with for the past. four. years. Shit that I never bothered to do because a) I'm lazy (duh) and b) I'm really not that picky. I mean, I can live in squalor if I need to - I spent nine years in college digs and three years on a Navy ship. I can make do.

However, these days it's apparently necessary to make the damn place pretty for the potential buyers. That means I'll be doing a bunch of little home improvement projects for the next month or so. Things like:

Fill in empty nail holes

Remove fugly wallpaper in master bath

use wood soap/oil on kitchen cabinets

polish cabinet handles/knobs

do some kind of landscaping in wasteland of a backyard

clean out closets

pack some shit up to make closets look bigger

paint, paint and paint some more

tidy up paint edges and touch up trim

All of this PLUS new carpet because damn - you guys have seen that crap-tastic pink carpet and there is no sane buyer in the world (much less this home market) who would invest in a home with pepto pink carpet.

Where am I going with this? Well, nowhere particularly. I just wanted to share how overwhelmed I feel. :) In addition to all the house work I'm going to have to put together a resume, find a job and find a new home too. These next six months are going to be hell exciting so be prepared for bitching and moaning.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Thanks Stacie! She's one of my oldest "blog friends" and I'm so jealous of her recent trip to Disney World. I'm going to have to copycat that one year and spend Christmas in the Magic Kingdom myself!

I don't think there are any rules so I'm going to cop out and say:

I love reading all of your blogs! You all help me get through the day and keep life in perspective. So, I want you all to award yourself with this little badge - it brightened my day and I hope it does the same for you!

I mean it! If you have ever read/commented on my blog please copy and paste this award to your own. You too cyber stalkers! I know you're out there... :) Oh, and go thank Stacie! She's da bomb!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

I was tagged by the marvelous Matter Of Fact Mommy to show off my bag and it's innards. I know it's against the rules, but I had to take a picture of two bags. I have one bag that's acceptable with my uniform and another that I use at night and on the weekends.

First up, my "uniform" bag. It's a nice little black Coach that I justified due to the infinite uses of a little black bag. It can only hold the essentials - wallet, cell, lip gloss, keys - but it's perfectly serviceable (nice pun!) for the work day.

My weekender is a somewhat larger Kenneth Cole sloucher that I found at TJ Maxx. God I love TJ Maxx... It has two outside pockets and several pockets on the inside for all the little things a Mom requires:

So, I just take the wallet and cell out of my work bag and throw them into the big one when I get home. The big green bag can hold a change of clothes and hair accessories for costume changes at the portrait place. It can hold a bottle of water and candy for the movie theater. It can hold a hand towel and Frisbee for the park. It's my "go to" bag and I love it to pieces. In fact, it will probably have to fall to pieces for me to let go of it.

So, part of this deal is to tag others, but honestly I feel like I've tagged anyone who would be likely to complete this one - if they haven't already! But, here's a few:

Stacie! It's been a while since I tagged you - right?Amber D. from Everybodys Working For The Weekend.Madame Queen - I know she's busy reading, but maybe?Blueshi at Stay At Home Mom Going Quickly InsaneHokgardener at The Days Are JUST Packed

Monday, January 26, 2009

I just wanted to post a thank you note to all of the commenters on this post about Muffin's Dad and him asking to claim her on his taxes so he can get divorced. I rarely post about him or his family and their relationship with Muffin and I because it's usually ugly and I try to keep things light. It was very comforting to read your thoughts and encouraging words. Thank you very much.

Sometimes I feel like I'm floundering my way through this ocean of life with no clear direction. I always second guess myself and usually try to avoid confrontation if at all possible. I usually give in because I keep hoping (in vain) that it will bring about less tension. However, I'm the only one who ever ends up making compromises while he walks all over us. Your kind comments gave me the strength and courage to stand up for myself and not cave in. It was long past due.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

On MLK day we watched "Pride & Prejudice" together and Muffin remarked that the ballroom dancing scene was similar to the dancing scene we watched during the Nutcracker performance at Chrysler Hall. She said "the boys stand across from the girls and then they run into each other, don't they?" Close enough!

Tuesday was supposed to have been a "snow day" according to the local weather idiots experts. Oh yes, a gigantic snow storm was to coat our region with 1-3" of snow but instead decided to go slightly south thereby leaving us with nary a flake. We stayed home anyway watching P & P again (at Muffin's insistance - that's my girl!) and knitting/playing with ponies.

The rest of the week was uneventful. We made the weekly pilgrimage to the library on Thursday and Muffin picked out a few more Bearinstein Bears books. She is lately obsessed with the B.B.s and I totally fine with that. There are lessons to learn in every book and I'm glad that she is interested in them.

Saturday morning I cleaned the house for the weekend visit from my parents. Muffin ate breakfast like a princess - which reminds me... How old do they have to be before they can run a vacuum cleaner anyway?

While fluffing pillows I discovered a cat who had made her home on faux fur throw burried deep in my couch. Zephyr's lair...

She was a little put out when I destroyed her nest in order to make the couch more presentable. I'm sure I'll find a little cat vomit present later for my efforts.

Mom and Dad came for one night to pick up a keyboard, visit the health food store and help me do an inventory of all the odds and ends that need to be taken care of before my house goes on the market. They will be coming back in Feb to help with the major stuff, but in the meantime I have a lot of little "prep work" chores to knock out. *sigh* At least I won't be bored!

Here they are with their only favorite grandchild. Thanks for the great visit! Love you guys!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

I wish I was Myrna Loy like Stacie!! She's one of my all time favorites - but I'll make do with Ms. Hepburn. She's pretty cool too.

Your result for The Classic Dames Test...

Katharine Hepburn

You scored 12% grit, 38% wit, 48% flair, and 14% class!

You are the fabulously quirky and independent woman of character. You go your own way, follow your own drummer, take your own lead. You stand head and shoulders next to your partner, but you are perfectly willing and able to stand alone. Others might be more classically beautiful or conventionally woman-like, but you possess a more fundamental common sense and off-kilter charm, making interesting men fall at your feet. You can pick them up or leave them there as you see fit. You share the screen with the likes of Spencer Tracy and Cary Grant, thinking men who like strong women.

Oh you thought you could escape them! But, alas - I must entertain myself at work some way or another. Here is my summary of Thursday night's premier...

Daniel looks confused (an expression that seems to come naturally to him) and attempts to explain the time-jumping situation affecting the island. He also manages to get Desmond to "remember" something that will hopefully help them out in the future.

Sawyer and Juliette contemplate the fates of their friends as well as their own future... Oh, and Frogurt gets shot with a flaming arrow. Nasty way to go if you ask me...

Meanwhile, Locke (lost elsewhere on the island) tries to convince Ethan that Ben had handed over the reigns of leadership... rather unsuccessfully. He also encounters Richard the Other and gets a compass that will supposedly help him out down the line.

Hurley has one crazy adventure after another and gets a visit from Anna Lucia who tells him that "Libby says hi." Aww, I miss Libby.

And Sun meets up with Kate in order to lay a massive guilt trip upon her...

There weren't any amusing photos of Jack, Ben or Sayid - sorry! Suffice it to say, Ben convinces Jack of the urgency of their mission.

Also, Sayid gets hit with a tranquilizer dart which leaves him incapacitated for the majority of the show. Ben touches base with some strangers who seem to have a vast operation in place to facilitate Ben's mission to get back to the island. Oh yeah, and remember that white haired lady who convinced Desmond he couldn't stay with Penny? She makes an appearance too! So do Des and Penny, but they're just going to Oxford so nothing spectacular there.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Earlier in the week Muffin's Daddy called to say that he need to have a "conference" with me one day during lunch because he had some "heavy" shit to discuss. After our recent conversation wherein I told him that Muffin would no longer visit as long as his wife was present, I anticipated something along the lines of "divorce" and I was not disappointed.

The fact that he wanted to talk during our lunch hour and away from "interruptions" (as he put it) indicated that he didn't want his wife to hear, obviously. What with the complete lack of snow day on Tuesday and the fact that his wife apparently hid his cell phone out of spite on Wednesday - we were unable to talk until yesterday. That's when he asked if he could claim our daughter on his taxes this year, and in fact every other year, in order to help pay for a divorce.

Taken aback, I was unsure how to respond. First off, he has promised to divorce this harpy before and nothing ever came of it. Secondly, he doesn't pay the "less than $100" per month child support ordered by the court. Third, Muffin doesn't stay with him anywhere close to half of the year and FINALLY? I pay FOR EVERYTHING remotely associated the little girl!

Doctors, Dentists, Swim Lessons, Dance Lessons, any and all clothing that gets sent to his home as well as fancy Christmas outfits and Halloween costumes! I pay for her asthma and allergy prescriptions that are entirely due to his smoking. I pay for a good pre-school - even on the days when she visits his home. I provide 99.9% of all Muffin related expenses.

Not only that, but this year I'm resigning from a very well-paying job to move closer to my family and his in a fiscally challenging economic climate.

Now, I know he is not in the best of financial situations but I fail to see how that is my problem. On the other hand, if it means he gets a divorce from the evil woman he married which would mean that my Muffin would never have to be around her again - maybe it's worth it.

I told him that I'd consider it and I will. After I do my taxes and see what kind of a cut in refund we're talking about, that is. He replied "No pressure, just see what you can do." And now I have to make a decision. I hate making decisions almost as much as I hate talking to him and I blame him entirely for the bad mood that will cloud my weekend.

Oh well, that's my problem isn't it. In completely unrelated news... I will not post any thoughts about the Lost season premiere until later in the weekend for those of you that DVR'ed it and haven't watched the two hour episode. I must content myself with only remarking that I enjoyed every single minute and look forward to a season that has more answers than questions. Happy Friday!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I finished the scarf over the holidays and I think it turned out very well. I chose a black tweed yarn as well as a pretty lime green that picks up the green in the tweed. I tend to drift towards green these days... Not sure why, maybe because it's so brown and dead outside. Who knows.

So, I snapped this picture on my little white stool but it doesn't properly represent the length and fabulousness of my scarf does it?

I was going to try and snap a picture of myself modeling the scarf - but decided to spare you folks because I was having a seriously bad hair day (not that that's anything new). Muffin was busy but Louis was free! In fact, I think he looks quite dapper in my scarf.

The look on his little kitty face is priceless. I believe he's thinking something along the lines of: "If I were younger I'd find a way out of this damn thing. Since I can't, I will solace myself with the fact that you fill find vomit on your carpet in the near future." Ah, sweet sweet kitty love.

Now-a-days I'm working on a baby afghan for a friend who is due in June. It's about half-way through and makes a wonderful lap warmer on a freezing January night. I also spent a ludicrous amount of money on some froo-froo yarn that was 40% off! I see some fancy scarves in the near future! Stay tuned!

Also, ONLY ONE MORE NIGHT UNTIL LOST!!! I'm getting seriously hyped up. Can you tell?

I recently re-organized my "My Pictures" folder and now have everything sorted by year and then month/season so this should be pretty easy!

Let's see, my sixth folder is labeled "2006" and the six folder is labled "Muffin at Preschool."

Here is the sixth picture - but since you can't really see my little girl, I'm going to include the seventh picture as well. Hey! I'm a mom, so sue me!

These pictures were taken by Muffin's preschool teacher, Felicia. She was a wonderful lady that always had encouraging things to say about my daughter. We were new to the preschool, having recently decided to let my sister go back to work and there was a little transition period where Muffin had to adjust to all of the other children. Ms. Felicia was a rock, I'll always be thankful for her.

That tricycle has been a fixture in our life for the past few years as well. I'll never forget the day when I came to get her and Muffin placed her hands on my thighs, looked right into my eyes and said in a stage whisper "Mama, today I rode the Big. Red. Tricycle." She was so earnest and so proud. She has loved riding trikes and bikes ever since. In fact, she fusses at me if I pick her up before her afternoon trip outside because that means she doesn't get another chance to ride. Yeah, I feel the love.

So, those are my pictures - I'm not sure who I have left to tag... Let me put it like this: If you have a day empty of any blog fodder complete this meme. It's fun and it will take you on a nice trip down memory lane. Enjoy!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

I've seen some posts labeled "Blog 365" that chronicle the daily life of a blogger and, while I am intrigued by the idea, I know that I'm way too lazy busy to commit so I am going to commit to a Sunday "wrap up" post that will (hopefully) have some pictures and comments about what my family's week was like.

This one will include a couple weeks worth of pictures since we're already half way through the month of January. First up, Muffin boxing with Wii.

We were at my grandfather's house on New Years Day and my cousins had brought their Wii. Muffin had never before played a video game (aside from webkins related stuff) and took it very seriously. We had a blast.

Next, a picture of a drawing Muffin did on our little chalk board by the front door.

We had endured a week of rain and she drew the two of us with a rain cloud over head and grass growing at our feet. It's little things like this that make my heart want to just burst out of my chest.

Now, some pictures of Muffin at the local Children's Museum last weekend. Talk about a great place to take your stir crazy young-un. We played for a while, ate a picnic lunch, then played some more. She slept so so well that night!

I've included some pictures of our lunch on the waterfront as well. While eating lunch, Muffin remarked that it would be very cool to take a boat ride. I told her about the boat rides on the Elizabeth River offered by the VAB Aquarium and asked what sort of animals she thought we might see. "Elephants" she responded. Well, that would be a surprise wouldn't it!

Next up, a sleepy sleepy Muffin. She was not a big fan of waking up 1 1/2 hours earlier so Mama could ride the bus. (Mama wasn't really a big fan of that either to tell the truth) I had asked her to put on her clothes and make her bed but when I came downstairs I found this:

A sleepy little girl still in her pajamas. After saying "serenity now" a few times I took a picture and helped her into her clothes. Riding the bus has been fun and relaxing, I hope we can both adjust to the schedule change in short order.

Finally some pictures taken yesterday afternoon. It was freezing cold outside and we stayed in all day. Muffin was playing with a Disney Princess Magnetic Doll set that she received for Christmas and decided to include her little ponies in the scene.

Call me crazy, but I think the fact that she knew to place the 3-D ponies on their side so that they look, from the top, as though they are part of the 2-D picture is pretty awesome. What does that show, a sense of perspective? Depth? I'm not an artist but I am a Mom and I think it's pretty cool.

This picture was taken not long after her nap. She wandered downstairs with that dazed half awake look on her face and I decided to say "boo!" She jumped and glared at me saying that I hadn't scared her, I had surprised her. She wasn't in the mood to laugh it off either, saying: "Mama, when I wake up from my nap I'm not feeling happy, I'm feeling frustrated." Well, OK then. No more "surprises" after nap time.

That's a wrap! The first Sunday Scrapbook edition. Hopefully this will help me keep track of the little day-to-day things that make raising a little girl so heartwarming and fun.